Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-01-15
TORTURE ON THE GIBBET.
CLUVERIUs SUCCUMBS TO SLOW
STHANGULATION.

HhO
RICHMOND, VA, Jan. 14,-Thomas
JudsOn Cluverlus, convicted OF the mur-
der of Fannie Lillian Madison, was hang
ed in the city jail today. AS early as 8
O'Clock this morning people began to
gather in the vicinity, and by noon every
approach to the jail was packed with
human beings. The house tops and hill
sides near the Jail from which sight into
the jail yard could be had were also
crowded. Admission to the jail was only
had through tickets issued by City Sergt.
smith, who though chary in giving them
out admitted over two hundred persons.
sLEEPLEss NIGHT.
The prisoner passed a sleepless night.
most of the time being spent with Beverly
Crump, one OF his counsel, who has done
everything to save or extend his life, and
VINO rem aimed with him till , O'Clock tGis
morning, and from that hour until 6
O'Clock be WAS engaged in prayer and at
intervals in singing hymns.
From O'Clock until he slept sOundly,
and then arose and ate u break asst OF ten
derloin beetsteak, mushrooms and egg
omelette.
ALL IN DOUBT.
During the morning hours there was
much speculation as to whether the Gov
ernor would further postpone the execu-
tion, and that question was not finally
settled until some time after noon wnen
Mr.. Crump, who had been to see the Gov
ernor, returned to the Jail and announced
tnat this executive power would not be
interposed.
Rev. DIR. William E. Hatcher came to
the jail about ii O'Clock aud remained
with the prisoner TO the last, administer
ing religious consolation and praying
with him. At noon suit of new black
clothes was brought to the Jail and the
prisoner donned them.
THE DEATH PROCESSION.
At 1858 O'Clock the death pro-
cession was formed, consisting OF
Sergt. Smith, two deputies, Rev. DR..
Hatcher and the prisoner, the latter hav-
ing his HANDS tied IN front and his body
from the neck to the ankles enveIOped in
an old-fashlOned lady's waterproof cloak.
From the cell the march progressed along
tle corridors and down two flights OF
stairs to the lower court of the jail, and
then into the yard tronCing the cells of
the white prisoners, forty policemen be-
ing on duty to keep back the crowd. The
with steady steps to the scatiOld, which
he ascended in the same quiet manner
and stood on the trap.
READING THE DEATH WARRANT.
Sergt. Smith then read the death war
rant, or copy OF the Judgment of the
court. which the prisoner listened to with
bowed head ana apparent close attention.
WBen the Sergeant had concluded be
asked the doomed man if he had anything
TO say. and CluverIus replied: mo, sir,
nothing at ALL" his voice being scarcely
audible.
DR.. Hatcher then knelt and offered
feeling and fervent prayer. and when he
mad finished he turned TO the prisoner,
VINO said a few words IN low tone.
NO WILL.
Then DR.. Hatcher, turning to the crowd
in the yard, SAID: IL am requested by the
prisoner to utter one word for him, and that
Is,that, in this moment of death, be carries
to the grave no feeling of ill-Will toward
any man on EARTH"
DIR. Hatcher then left the scaffold, rails
ing both hands as he went out. He said
the prisoner had asserted his innocence
to the last just before leaving the cell.
When DR.. Hatcher had gone, Deputy
Sergeant Allen tied the prisoners knees
tightly together, put the rope around his
neck, and adjusted the black cap and
hood.
SLOWLY sTRANGLED.
Every thing being ready Sergt. Smith
gave the signal, and at 1:0S O'clock the
trap was sprung. First came the sudden
swish-clang OF the falling trap door, and
toe next instant the body OF Cluyerius
was at the end of the rope ten feet below
where he had been standing. The rope,
which was made of parti.cOlOred silk,
stretched over foot, and the toes of the
hanged man nearly touched the brick
tavement beneath. A minute OF quiet,
aud then there was considerable strug-
Cling, lasting several minutes, together
with heavy stentoriOus breathing, indl-
eating that death was being produced by
strangulati0n.i
Alter sixteen minutes the physicians
pronounced him dead, and twenty miu-
utes alter the trap was swung the body
was taken down aud placed in plain
wooden coffin and turned over to an un-
dertaker to De prepared for burlal at his
former home in King and Queen county.
THE SWEET TENOR.
During the forenoon Capt. Frank w.
Cunningham, RichmOud's weete t tenor
sinser, VINO mas before visited the prIs-
uner on several occasions and sung num-
erous hymLs in his cell, again called to
see Cluverius ana was greeted pleasantly
by him. At his request Capt. Cunning.
nam sang the hymn "How firm "a founda-
ton, ye saints of the Lord" When ne
had finished Capt. Cunningham turned 10
CluverIus and asked: "DO you still say
that you are innocent?" To which the
prisoner replied: 81 am Innocent"
Said Capt. Cunningham: "DO you be-
ieye in our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ, and believing in him, you assert
that you are innocent, knowing that you
have cot to answ before GDd!'
Again Ciuyerius said: - can say that |
am innocent"
When Sergt. Smith entered the con-
demned cell at 1850 and announced tnaJ
the time was up, CiuYerlus showed no
signs Of emotion, and simply remarked: !:
~ am ready TO 20 with you"
AN AWFUL MOMENT
II was on a iul and solemn moment
when Cluyerius walked from the cell in
which he bad 50 long been confined 20 the
scatiOld upon which b0 was TO pay the
penalty for his crime, and the iron nerve
which sustained him through the trial
cluug TO him TO the very last, and un-
fal eringly he walked to his death. AS
he was passing down the steps on his way
TO the sca1old the vast crowd outside the
Jail caught sight OF him, and q shout went
up rom a thousand throats, Y oDder he is,
Youder he 49," The prisoner never
raised his eyes, but kept them cast down
MS though In deep thought, and for the
first time perhaps, he fully realized that
be was going to die. As be wended his
way To the scailuld, down the long jail
Varu the eyes OF over 200 persona were